No One to Trust - Iris Johansen [7]
No response.
“Talk to me or I’ll open that wound another two inches before Forbes comes back, and then we won’t be able to save you. What a shame.”
Her eyes opened. Huge dark eyes, staring up at him warily.
“Good. That’s progress,” Galen said. “Elena Kyler?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s Rico Chavez?”
“I don’t know.”
He lifted the compress. “Oh, my, it must have slipped. Look at all that blood.”
“I tell you, I don’t know.” She glared at him. “I was at a prison in Belim. He may be near here. He may still be in Mexico City.”
“You have the prison story right. That deserves a reward.” He put the compress back. “Think about it. I’ll give you a couple minutes. I’m sure you’ll be able to pin his location down.”
“Was that Ben Forbes who just left?”
“You could have seen who he was if you’d chosen not to play possum.”
“No one was supposed to be here but him. It could have been a trap.”
“My thought exactly.”
“Who are you?”
“Sean Galen.”
“DEA?”
“Not in my worst nightmares.”
“I didn’t think so. I’ve seen your kind before. I’ve fought side by side with mercenaries from all over the world. My father was one. You all have the same edge.”
“Don’t generalize. I’m unique. I’m also supposed to be your savior. Superman incarnate. Faster than a speeding—”
“Here’s your first-aid kit. If you can call it that.” Forbes dumped the large kit down beside Galen. “Good God, it’s as complete as an EMT unit. And you have enough equipment in that jeep to withstand a siege. Talk about being prepared. What were you—oh, she’s awake.”
Galen nodded. “Wide awake. It is Elena Kyler.”
Elena was looking at Forbes. “You’re Ben Forbes? You were supposed to come alone.”
“I needed a little help. It may be a difficult situation. I kept my promise. He’s not a fed. Did you bring the evidence?”
“No, we’ll have to go together and get it. It’s nearby.”
“Why don’t you go and bring it to us?” Galen asked.
She ignored him. “I don’t know how much time we have. Chavez will know I crossed the river ten miles from here. He may decide to call in more men and spread out over the countryside.”
“And how does Chavez know that?” Galen asked.
“I had to kill two of his men to get across the river.”
“My, my, that prison cell came very well equipped.”
She ignored Galen and turned to Forbes. “I stole some supplies from a pharmacy and some clothes in a village near the river. I don’t have time for this inquisition. Just bandage me up and we’ll get on the way.”
“Unfortunately, if we do that you might bleed to death,” Galen said. “I can stitch her up properly, Forbes. You can have a nice chat while I do it. It may distract her. Of course, it could hurt a bit.”
She bit her lower lip. “Do it.” She glanced at Forbes and then slowly held out her hand. “Will you stay with me until it’s over? I don’t want him to get too much pleasure out of this.”
He smiled and his hand closed on hers. “I’ll stay.”
Elena’s breath released in a relieved sigh. “Thank you.” Her gaze shifted to Galen. “Get it over with.”
2
Elena withstood the pain without a word but slumped into a faint as Galen finished the stitching.
“Tough,” Galen murmured as he started bandaging the wound. “Very tough.”
“Is she going to be okay?” Forbes asked.
He shrugged. “Providing she doesn’t get an infection. If it’s any comfort to you, I think she did sew herself up. The stitches were pretty messy and uneven. We’d better get her back to camp before she wakes up.” He lifted her and started for the woods. “Be sure and bring my kit.”
“You’re pretty good at this. And that first-aid kit—do you always lug that thing around?”
“Sure. When I need first aid, it’s usually not for anything minor. Like the Boy Scouts, I’m always prepared.”
“You’re from Liverpool, aren’t you? Did they have Boy Scouts there?”
“Of a sort. But my mum never liked me to mix with those rough-and-ready types.” He looked down at Elena. “Like this one. She’d be turning over in her grave if she knew I was associating with such a piranha.”
“I don’t believe you have anything to worry